If you go to the ER or doctor's office, do you tell them you're a nurse?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Just wondering what other people do.

I generally don't, but when I ask questions or talk about why I'm there, they usually guess that I am.

Last night I had to bring my toddler into the ER because of an asthma attack, and I even tried to dumb it down further, but apparently not enough as the ER physician asked if I was "in the medical field" after I used the term "tachypneic". Oh, well, maybe he'll waive his fee as a professional courtesy.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I had to take my kid to the ER, and I chose to go to the same ER where I was doing my clinicals, and where my clinical instructor is the head nurse. Otherwise, I don't mention it unless there's some reason to.

Once I was in the doctor's office and his secretary asked what Chux were. I told her, and the doctor asked if I was in the medical field. (Actually, I wasn't at the time, but I had had a planned homebirth.)

[bill4745, RN]

I rarely do. I like to see how they perform. I usually only mention it if there's a problem.

maybe he'll waive his fee as a professional courtesy.

Yeah, sure!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Once I was in the doctor's office and his secretary asked what Chux were. I told her, and the doctor asked if I was in the medical field. (Actually, I wasn't at the time, but I had had a planned homebirth.)

Ha! When I was getting supplies together for my homebirth is when I first learned what Chux were, too. :)

[tryingtohaveitall]

No, I don't make a point of saying what I do (that's soooo annoying when people throw it in your face, "hey, I'm a nurse too". Actually, 1/2 the time they say that they aren't. anyhoo) However, I will ask questions, what is the drug being given, how much, etc. If they deduce from that I'm in the medical field, fine.

[SlightlyMental_RN]

I live in a small town, and the secret is out. Zo-well.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I rarely do. I like to see how they perform. I usually only mention it if there's a problem.

Yeah, sure!

Hope springs eternal!

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

I don't if I can help it. I had to have a CT with contrast several months ago, and had to leave work to do it, so I was in my nurse getup, complete with nametag. I'm a really easy stick for blood draws and IVs. They stuck me 8 times total to get the line in. One of them said, "I'm nervous because you're an RN." Well, I can understand being a bit nervous, but if you're so nervous that you're going to miss 4 times and the rest of your friends are too, perhaps you shouldn't be doing this. A test that should have taken a half hour took 3. By the time they sent me over to the hospital from the out pt imaging center I didn't have a whole lot of potential sites left. I should have had a friend at work just put the darn thing in before I got there.

[headinsandRN]

if they read my occupation info then they would know.

i only bring it up if i have an an issue of concern i want to push and my credentials will lend me credibility.

[nuangel1, BSN, RN]

the drs i have all know i am a nurse .when i go to er for medical reason it usually comes out when i ask questions or give my medical hx meds etc .i am fine with people knowing i am a rn.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I don't mention it unless they ask what I do. I use laymen's terms when talking outside of my own work.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

No, I don't make a point of saying what I do (that's soooo annoying when people throw it in your face, "hey, I'm a nurse too". Actually, 1/2 the time they say that they aren't. anyhoo) However, I will ask questions, what is the drug being given, how much, etc. If they deduce from that I'm in the medical field, fine.

I had a patient recently who said she was a nurse, but last worked in a hospital 20 years ago, but still... she asked me (with an IV in her arm) when she was getting her IV so she could get pain medicine.... uh, the IV IS in your arm. Uh hum. You're a nurse??? Even after 20 years practicing clinically, you would remember that.